So let’s get the next chapter started with a lapghan I knitted for my mom’s cousin – and therefore, my cousin as well. The name – Cousins by Vampire Weekend – should be self evident. I designed this based on the gauge swatch information. Unfortunately, I did not record my desired finished size, but I think I’m close.

I cast on 126 stitches. The pattern is 10 rows of garter, 2 rows of YO, P2TOG, 20 rows of garter in each color, slipping the first stitch in ever row and KBL the last stitch. The exception is the middle section where I alternated every two rows between the Red Heart Baby Clouds and unknown white yarn.

I did not have an payment agreement in place for this afghan, but did keep track of my time. I took me approximately 52.5 hours to make this. At the time I was charging $10.00/hour. The yarn was a mix of yard sale yarn, stash yarn of an unknown source and purchase of a second Homespun Gothic because my design sensibilities could not allow me to use the blue that was picked from my stash. Total yarn amount: $8.98.

I just found out my cousin is visiting from Texas again and is expected to arrive Monday, November 3. Perfect timing, which just goes to show bad things are not necessarily bad.

My boss at The Knitting Tree, L A had already put me on notice that she would pay me to help her make some favors for her upcoming wedding. Yesterday, she showed me the pattern and I tried to make one. OMG! The pattern she found was just so complicated, especially when you are working on such a small gauge and if I was forced to use that pattern, payment would have been greatly appreciated for all the associated frustration. So I did what I do best: simplified the pattern, which she likes and now that the pattern has been simplified, I must refuse payment. After all they are called favors, right?

I even took my contribution one step further and published the pattern on her invitation design, so that if she wants to, she can distribute the pattern at the wedding. I am even suggesting an impromptu class at the store so that anyone who crochets may assist – the more the merrier and the faster the task can be completed.

My pattern which is as easy as 1-2-3 rounds and does not involve front post crochet. The pattern calls for

The finished object measures approximately 2.5 inches square. This pattern will only be available for free until August 23, 2014, the day of the wedding, so that any friends of the bride may download the pattern and assist with making the favors. The pattern is available on my patterns page. or in my Ravelry store.

PROVISO

I condone any realized profit from selling your finished project

If you are on Ravelry, I would appreciate your linking your project to this pattern/recipe, so I can send a request to feature your finished object

2014-08-07 ADDENDUM

Having just finished this project, I realized I needed to update this blog post with the second yarn used:

We had run out of Universal Uptown Worsted in Race Car Red, so this was the alternate. Out of two skeins of Universal and three skeins of Cascade, I made about 160 Rosy Wedding Favors, approximately 10 more than requested.

So while I was trying to overcome my cough last week, I decided I was feeling bettah and decided to – at least – organize my room. While I was organizing, I found a yoga mat that I had purchased at a yard sale to use for blocking my projects. Needless to say, I am not about to start yoga-ing and I really don’t like blocking. In conjunction with my game plan to attack my stash, I set to creating this carrier. When I tried it on, I slung it over one shoulder, and as you can see in the picture above, Mergatroid was able to drape it across her chest.

This was my practice attempt at a design inspired by something I saw on Pinterest. It provided an opportunity for me to finish the cone of eyelash yarn I had, though I still have a smidgen of it left. I stopped working on this to work on Halcyon + On + On Wrap because my decision to be precise with the eyelash yarn and avoid looping was becoming very tedious. Not visible in the image above are some iridescent fibers the reflect prismatic color.

I made this sweater for Mojo so Jacqui would not have to crochet it alone. Based on the perfect fit of the first one I made – The Look of Love Dog Sweater – I did not do a gauge swatch for this one and it came out way bigger than the first one I made for Mojo. I hope Jacqui’s dog sweater fits Kiki.

I must express my dismay with the non-standardization of crochet hooks. The pattern calls for a F (4.0 mm); all my Fs are 3.75 mm. I do own a G hook so I assumed it was a 4.0 mm, but according to Karp Styles a G equals 4.25 mm and a 6 equals 4.0 mm. Very confusing. I wonder how one would go about standardizing this.

I just received an email from Jacqui, who informs me that the sweater fit perfectly!

Ellen S. had just gifted me with two skeins of Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton when I came across the design on Pinterest, as a result of a Google search for “latest in crochet design.” Of course my first thought was “I can make that!” So I found a third color and set to designing.

This a very simple pattern for beginners, though tedium could be attributed to the fact that you must double crochet into each chain for structure stability versus over the chains. Each row begins and ends with a flower. I changed color every row, but you may choose to do something different. When the pattern is coming out of your head you have small mistakes: some of mine are flowers that are not staggered, as desired; flowers hanging at different lengths due to lapses in counting; and while I wanted my double crochets to be five across the whole piece, somehow, I ended up with a five/four design.

Aside from those small mistakes, I am in love with the color scheme, as are most of the crocheters/knitters I hang with. This piece can be worn as a wrap/shawl or scrunch it up to be worn as a scarf. The open mesh style makes it perfect for summer days/nights.

The project name – Halcyon + On + On by Orbital – comes from my music library.

Pattern Proviso

As with all my patterns:

I condone any realized profit from selling your finished project

I ask that you do not duplicate or copy the pattern for dissemination among your friends. I have no way to police this, so you are on your honor, but I don’t think USD $5.00 is an exorbitant cost, considering all the work that went into writing the pattern

If you are Ravelry, I would appreciate your linking your project to this recipe, so I can send a request to feature your finished object